Amateur racing took centre stage once again at Monticello Raceway on Thursday afternoon (Nov.9) showcasing two divisions of the NAADA Trots and one split for pacers in the Catskill Amateur Club Series.

Amateur racing took center stage once again at Monticello Raceway on Thursday afternoon (Nov.9) showcasing two divisions of the NAADA Trots and one split for pacers in the Catskill Amateur Club Series. NAADA winners included Alan Schwartz and Paul Minore while Jennifer Lappe registered one for the ladies in the CADC pace.

In the fastest NAADA Trot, Schwartz scored a 1:58.4 triumph with Ladys Big Stormont whereas Minore and his Wygant Prince cruised home an easy winner in a 2:01 clocking in the other NAADA event. Lappe and Lightning Strike out-footed their competition to score a 1:57.4 victory in the Catskill amateurs pace.

The fastest mile of the three aforementioned amateur events was turned in by Jennifer Lappe when she guided Lightning Strike to a gate-to-wire three-length triumph in a time of 1:57.4 over KJ Brent and driver Bob Krivelin, who had recovered after going off-stride before the start. Third place, a neck farther behind, was TKRs Metro Specs with Joe Lee at the controls.

After notching her third win in five drives behind Lightning Strike it was needless to say that Lappe was joyful after her triumph. Asked why the pacer races so well for her she replied, obviously with tongue in cheek, “I guess he’s just a lady’s man!”

The veteran pacer, sent off as the odds-on favourite in the race, paid $3.30 for win. He is owned and trained by Bill Mintz.

Both winners in the NAADA Trotting Series turned in impressive miles but the fastest of the two was the 1:58.4 victory by Alan Schwartz’s Ladys Big Stormont.

After the gate sprung in that contest Schwartz gunned his trotter to the lead and kept a close eye on Monica Banca and Brandos Muscle Man, who were hung out and began to challenge for the lead. So as not to get in a speed duel, the veteran amateur driver allowed Banca to take command before the quarter pole and then he retook the lead. Once on top Ladys Big Stormont just toyed with the field and cruised home an oh-so-easy five-length winner over Jennifer Lappe’s Fox Valley Steffen. Banca and Brandos Muscle Man held on for the show dough.

“He’s real good on the front-end and he raced giant today,” a smiling Schwartz said after the race. Those who wagered on Ladys Big Stormont received a $4.20 payoff.

The winner is owned by Schwartz and trained by Rick Harp.

The other NAADA Trot saw Paul Minore and his veteran 10-year-old Wygant Prince march to the lead from the pylon position and then make every pole a winning one en route to a two-length triumph in a 2:01 clocking over Dave Yarock’s Mr Ridgetaker. Peoplesayimnogood finished third for Bob Krivelin.

"He's having a good year and he's such a pleasure to drive ," Minore said referring to Wygant Prince. He's real handy. He's good on the lead and races well from behind."

Owned by Minore and trained by Taylor Gower, Wygant Prince raised his career earnings to over $382,000. Sent off as the favourite, he paid $4,20.

(With files from NAADA)